Mother encourages people to help for Mitzvah Day (From Harrow Times)

Mother encourages people to join together for Mitzvah Day

10:20am Thursday 20th October 2011 in News By Suruchi Sharma

A MOTHER has encouraged people to get involved with an annual good deeds day event.

Mitzvah Day, to be held on Sunday, November 20, calls on thousands of volunteers to donate time rather than money to charity and community projects.

Miriam and Dave Rich with their two children, Esther, seven, and Jacob, five, attended a tea party organised by Muswell Hill Synagogue at Rosetrees Residential Home, in Friern Barnet, last year.

They talked to a 96-year-old resident, Rae Zarrupp, and since then have started to visit her almost every week.

Mrs Zarupp’s husband is in the Lady Sarah Cohen House which is a nursing home next to Rosetrees, but because of her restricted mobility she is only able to visit him once every few weeks. She also has two sons but they both live overseas.

Mrs Rich said: “We have as a family been seeing Rae almost every week whenever we can and spending time with her. She tells wonderful stories and the children are always interested in finding out about her life.

“We just pop in to see her. She doesn’t want us to bring her anything but just enjoys seeing us.

“I also find it very rewarding and it makes you realise how temporary life is and how you should live it the best way you can. She’s a lady who doesn’t complain about anything. She always says she had a wonderful life and she would want to live it all again.

“Mitzvah Day is a wonderful way of helping people out and as we have done you can continue to do it throughout the year.”

Muswell Hill Synagogue has organised another tea party this year at Rosetrees as well as activities for young people.

To learn more and get involved email Ilana at ilana@swimer.co.uk or call 07717 171658. You can also email Rabbi Mason at Rabbimason@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk